Lost in Translation No More

The business landscape has changed significantly in the last decade. No longer content to be the best in the country in which they operate, businesses have set their sights overseas — hoping to become a global player. But to become a global player, one must go local!

You read it right. To become global, one must go local. Take for example, your website. Your corporate website may be in English, but if you check your analytics, your visitors donât just come from English-speaking countries. You may find that 30% of your visitors come from Latin America. That figure alone indicates that you have a market in Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries and it would be in your best interest to come up with a localized version of your site. And not just your site. You can have your marketing communication materials, documents, and other key information translated into the language of your market.

Translation has become a necessary business tool. Often, businesses neglect to see how translation will help your business. For one, localization helps build credibility. By speaking in their own language, you show that you understand, value and respect that country or region. It also boosts revenues. Among the findings of market research company Common Sense Advisory in its “Translation at Fortune 500 Companies” survey, it was revealed that companies that have used translation to keep ahead of competition were 2.04 times likely to increase their profits and 1.27 times more likely to generate augmented earnings per share. Customers are simply more comfortable in transacting with companies they can relate to!

But don’t just go for any translation. While machine translation is a possibility and perhaps could make it easier for you, it doesn’t replace human translation. Machine translation is not nearly as accurate as human translation as it often isn’t able to identify nuances or pick words or phrases more appropriate to your intended message. Skilled human translators do not just do this, but also ensure that the meaning of the information is not lost in translation.

Where do you get a good translator? You’re actually just a mouse click away. There are plenty of qualified translators with affordable rates on the world’s largest outsourcing and crowdsourcing marketplace, Freelancer.com. One employer, Michelle Diamond, was able to expand her content writing business (Writingsense.com) to include translation services when she successfully found qualified freelancers on the site. “The translation process was seamless and the freelancer was outstanding,” she says. “The quality of work was superior.”

Starting a translation job on the site is as simple as posting a project and choosing the best among the freelance translators bidding to work with you.

To begin with, you have to create a very clear and specific project brief. You must know what you want, what you want to accomplish. State where the translation will be used (Is it an article? A website?), how many words, what language or languages you want it translated in, your deadline, and budget. Also note whether you are looking for native speakers or if you are open to other nationalities experienced in translating in the language you prefer. By knowing what you want in a translator, it can narrow your search considerably.

So, how do you choose your translator? You have to look at the following:

Quality. This should be your primary consideration as a mistake in your translation can mean big losses. It can also lead to customers losing confidence in you. Look at the translatorâs experience and find out which areas he excels in.

Track record. Look at the translator’s past clients. This will give you a good idea of his performance.

Price. Decide on a budget for your project and choose the best person or agency that can work within your budget and your requirements.

Speed. Consider your deadline and the speed at which the translation can be accomplished. Professional translators should be able to complete the job on time and without excuses. Agree on a time frame before you begin your project.

All these you can check via the freelancer’s profile/portfolio and feedback, and for other details, Freelancer.com’s chat messaging system will facilitate any discussion you may have with the translator.

Freelancer.com has been a partner of many small and medium-scale businesses. Make it your own for your translation needs and go global.